The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-13
THE HAMMERsMITH MYSTERY

the age OF fiity-iive he encountered a sue
cesson OF misfortunes which ultimately
landed him in the bankruptcy court.
When that crisis was past, he went 10 live
IN small house at Hammersmith with his
wife, his younger son Ephuim, and one
servant. Not long after his wife died, and
this last blow reduced the old man to n
complete wreck. lie became childish, and
lost his memory so completely that he had
no recollection of ordinary events from
day to day, which was, perhaps, merci-
ful dispensaiion OF providence after all.
Ephraim Stuckey was now the master of
the house, though the house itself belonged
to the father, having been purchased with
some money OF Mrs. StuCkcy's. Ephraim
was stock-brokCr, in u small way OF bust
ness, which might have been larger ii
Ephraim himself had been fondcr OF work
and had combined little more greedine,s
for the commissions OF clients with a little
less lalth IN grand speculative coups on his
own account. lie WIS addicted TO grumb.
ling at the hardships OF his lot, and more
particularly at the burden Of keeping "the
old man, us hc called his father This.
however, was rs unreasonable rs il was
undu,liul, for not only WAS Ephraim living
rent free in his fathers house, but old Mr..
Stuckey's maintenance was fully pro-
vided for 10y the elder son, Alfred.
Alfred, in his fathers palmy days, had
been put into the church. lie was now
curate in a Midland county parish, on Il
princcly stipend Of GOO year. out OF
which he contributed ESQ year to his
fathers support-qu enough 10 leave
margin of profit for Ephraim. II any one,
Therefore, had reason 20 grumblc at the
prolOngiion OF the fathers life, il wis
Alfred. II must be mentioned, however.
thattherc WIS one small expectation for both
the sons upon their fathers death Martin
Stuckcys lie had been insured in better
days for e3,0OO, and the premiums upon
the policy had been kept up by the Joint
contributions Oi the two Young men. But
MIR. Stuckry showed no immediate likcli-
hood OF enabling his SONS In realize this in
veslmcnt. Since the breakdown oi his
mind his bodily health had much inn
proved, a. not unirequcnily happens in
such c;iscs. and hi. mental incapacity was
not OF Il kind 10 cause anxiety. There had
been at one time question between the
brothers about providing him with IN at
tendant, but Ephraim was opposed TO un.
necessary expense, and pointed out that
less by invitation, aud that while indoors
he was perfectly under the control Of those
about him, including even the one maid
servant OF the establishment trust.
worthy Young woman who had been with
tIc iamilyfprgomc years. The truth WIS
that the old gentleman WIS 50 submissive
that, II 20 ordered, he would remain in one
room for hours together and under these
circumstances IL really seemed that Eph-
rain and the maid were quite capable of
looking after him. This idea, however
turned out 10 be- erroneous.
The Rev. Alfred Stuckcy did not often
visit London but when he did 80 he al.
ways cndcnyopd 10 spend day with his
father On such occasions he would gen.
orally take the old gentleman ont witlshim
for the day. protesting 20 think that he
was too much confined 10 the house One
day, about the middlc oi October Ephmim
Stuckey informed the maid servant that
his brother was coming 10 town. and added
that. II Alfred should take his father out,
as lac sometimes did, she had better take q
days holiday.
In due coursc the Rcv Alfred arrived
and, after spending night ut the house,
he said that lac would take his lr'hcr by
steamboat 20 Richmond Tor the, The
maid was informed that she could have
her promised holiday. Then, however, u
difficulty arose. The Mrl wished 10 20
some distance and could not be- back be-
fore O'Clock in the evening, Alfred, on
the other hand, had no intention Of keep
ing his father out It'll that hour, and be-
sides this, he had 10 return that night 10
his parish, for which purpose lac must
leave s. rancias station at about o'clock.
Who, then, was to take charge Of old Mr.
Siuckcy in the inicryal2
81 dare saw can get home" said Eph.
rain. "Whut time will Won rcturn?'
"rhal depends on father. Not later than
3 o'clock in any Cise. As ! have 10 hc at
st. Pancris by O'Clock slmll leave here
before $50 O'clock
81 think can manage 10 be back by
that time said Ephriam, "and there Is
no harm In leaving the governor for hall
an hour by himself. II ] am not here
when you return put him into that arm
chair, give him his pipe, and tell him In
your most impressive voice that hc Is not
10 stir on any account I'LL come i'm
"Arc YOU sure that he will be- all right?'
Perfectly lie would not move II The
house were on fire.
With this understanding the parties
separated.
TWAS between $50 and o'clock p. m. on
the same day whom Mr. Ephnim Stuckcy
presented himself at llammcrsmth police
station and asked Tor assistance. lie made
NJ the same time statement, from which,
in addition 10 the above facts, u appeared
that, In consequence OF business uncx-
pcctedly OBTAINING him In town, hc had
not reached home until close upon
O'Clock. lie then found no trace OF his
father on Of bis brother and, after waiting
for the return 1T the servant and making
inquiries about the ncighborhood, lac had
come 10 the conclusion that on being left
alone his father had, for the first time on
record. taken Il into his head 10 go out
by himself, and had either lest himself or
met with some worse mischancc.
Subsequent events confirmed the latter
theory. The Rev. Alfred Stuckcy, on be.
inc communicated with by telegram next
day, REPLIED ttst he had left his father nj
home In his chair nc blj o'clock ON the
preyious evening. On the same day Mr..
ttuckey'a hat was found IN the osier beds
nj Chiswick. A day or two later n walk.
ING stick. which had certainly belonged 10
him, was picked up in the river ut Chelsea.
The police continued the hue-and -cry with
undated yigor, but after these discoveries
only the theory Of the old gcnilcman's dis
appearance seemed tcnable. There war
no motive 20 suggest his having met
foul play. lie had neither the means nor
the strength 10 have Travelled any distance.